BIOL 112 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5.1: Liposome, Hydrophile, Glycerol
59
BIOL 112 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
59 documents
Document Summary
Lipids are the main component of cell membranes. Their properties allow them to form a barrier in an aqueous environment. Cell membranes are composed of 2 layers of lipids. Major type of lipid found in cell membrane= phospholipid. Most phospholipid are made up of a glycerol backbone attached to a phosphate group and 2 fatty acids. The phosphate head is hydrophilic b/c it"s polar. The fatty acids are hydrophobic b/c they"re non-polar. Molecules w/ both hydrophilic & hydrophobic regions in a single molecule= amphipathic. Amphipathic molecules like phospholipids arrange themselves spontaneously- polar head groups interact w/ polar and non-polar tail groups come together on the inside. Micelles: lipids w/ bulky heads and a hydrophobic fatty acid tail. Bilayer: lipids w/ less bulky heads and 2 hydrophobic tails. Bilayer structure forms spontaneously, depending solely on properties and whether enzyme is present.
